Another successful MarchMarch Campaign has been organized this year by the Brand Ambassador of the National Blood Service Ghana, Maame K Stephens in collaboration with the Kaysens Group, Kwaaba Foundation and the National Blood Service Ghana. The Kaysens Group has proudly supported the National Blood Service in numerous ways to generate awareness and encourage voluntary blood donation, including fully funding the National Blood Service Ghana Call Centre.
The event dubbed MarchMarch is an awareness campaign to encourage people to regularly donate blood, as the need for blood continues to be an issue in the country. This is the 6th year the event has been organized. The maiden event in 2018 was initiated and organized by the Brand Ambassador on the occasion of her birthday to encourage people to consider donating blood either on their Birthday or Birth Month to ensure the constant supply of blood at the blood banks. Maame K has decided to make it an annual affair by organizing MarchMarch, the first Saturday in March of every year. The past 5 years, the highly successful campaign has been from Ayi Mensah to Peduase in the Eastern Region. Last year when it was brought to the Greater Accra Region for the first time, they had another successful program and a very eventful one this year too.
The highly patronized event had over 1500 participants throughout the day, with people from all walks of life. It started with an early morning walk from Laboma Beach, through the LA Township and back to the Laboma Beach where the fun fair continued till late in the afternoon. Faith based organizations, corporate organizations, school year groups, keep fit clubs, service and humanitarian organizations just to mention a few, all trooped in to support the Awareness Campaign. Representatives from the Ministry of Health and other government agencies were also there to support.
Also present were the Directors for the Kaysens Group, Mr. and Mrs. Paapa Stephens. Dr. Barnabas Yeboah, Director of Nursing and Midwifery at the Ministry of Health Ghana said the event was in line with the government’s aim to achieve universal health coverage by 2030. He added that it was aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal target (SDG 3) which is Good Health and Well Being. This includes essential supply for blood and blood products in terms of quality, access and affordability and encouraged all to donate blood freely. The Managing Director for Lele Group, a sponsor for the event and a proud blood donor Mr. Hussein Jaber called on corporate entities to support the campaign.
The Brand Ambassador Maame K Stephens remarked that “awareness is still key. We all cannot give blood but we can all support the cause. We can collectively try and solve this blood issue.
The organizers also made a conscious effort to involve the LA community – in various capacities, adding to the inclusiveness of the event.
Participants were encouraged to wear either red or white T-shirts to show their solidarity towards the cause. One could not miss the vibrant red March March T-shirts as one walked through the LA Township. The T-shirts, which served as a mobile billboard, had different blood groups inscribed in behind the shirts as part of the effort to educate the public about the need to donate blood and demystify the myths surrounding blood donation. Messages included – Donating blood is good for the heart, Donating blood is an act of solidarity, join the efforts and save lives, Be the reason for someone’s heartbeat, give blood and many others. Ten (10) horses, many skaters, bikers displayed, adding to the funfair.
